Wicking Beds

[GaryD]

Hi Bart,

Ive got two GBs that i wanted to convert to wicking beds they are 1800 MM in dia and 400 deep if i go down to the local garden suppliers what ratio and what materials would you recommend i was thinking equal parts musshy comp with a good potting mix or organic compost Ive laid flexible drainage pipe as a feed pipe and cut down milk crates to create a void covered with shade mesh any ideas would be great i can buy compressed co co core from burnings to put in as the first layer i have only put together small wicking beds in the past what would be the most cost efective and best soil formula

I'd be inclined to use a good nursery potting mix....with the mushroom compost.....about two parts to one. You can add some coco coir, too.

The mushroom compost will not only add useful organic matter to the mix but it (along with the coco coir) will assist the wicking action that is a feature of this growing system.

One of the things that we learned about wicking beds is not to put watery solids directly down the feeder pipes. They become anaerobic and stink. We found that it was better to pour this stuff onto the surface of the growing mix. The solids were trapped in the growing mix as the water drained down into the water reservoir below.

Rainwater or tap water can be put directly into the reservoir via the feeder pipe.

Gary

[bart]

thanks for the info gary on my 400 deep beds what depth would you recomend for the overflow stand pipe that will set the resevoir height thanks bart
as my polydome is in partial sun with shade from gum trees i was getting allot of moss and mould on my gbs and hope the wicking beds will remain slightly dryer on the surface which might reduce this problem will prob plant spuds will post pics when i assemble the beds regards bart

[GaryD]

Hi Bart,

My understanding is that the water will wick up to around 300mm.....so, if your beds are 400mm overall, I'd consider a water reservoir which is about 100 to 150mm deep. Consider making your standpipes removable so that you can experiment with various water depths. This is what I do with my subsurface continuous flow grow beds.

Gary

[Joey]

Hi

Two wicking beds are included in my system. The first was simply a spa bath obtained from the tip for $10.00, The existing plumbing fitting only allow a maximum of 150mm of water in the bottom. The second was constructed from an old A frame sign and some left over Colour bond reenforced with treated pine. Both beds are filled with mushroom compost, pea straw and dynamic lifter for a bit of fertiliser.


Joey

[Shane]

Hi

The second was constructed from an old A frame sign and some left over Colour bond reenforced with treated pine.


Joey

Looks great Joey,

You've got a good eye for aesthetics, all your builds reflect this too.

Cheers,
Shane.

[GaryD]

Hi,

I think your set up looks good, too.

I'm surprised that more people haven't begun to use wicking beds. Reduced watering intervals and efficiency of water use make them an ideal choice for backyard food production.

Gary

[GaryD]

Hi,

Here's some photos of our raised beds (which have recently been converted to wicking beds):

Photo 1 - taken on 22nd September.
Photo 2 - taken on 4th October
Photo 3 - taken 12th October

We've begun to harvest silver beet (swiss chard) already. We watered this bed when we established it in late September. Since that time, it has only had rainwater.....and a bucket or two of the nutrient-rich water we change out of our NFT system each week.

The plants are looking particularly healthy.

Gary

[GaryD]

Hi,

The latest photo from our raised wicking bed garden. The corn has shot up and has begun to produce flowers....and the silver beet is producing very well.

Gary

[Pseudoreality]

I was having beer with some old timers last week and we were talking about gardening. They were saying that a lot of people have problems with their raised beds if they put plastic down first as it holds the moisture down and doesn't allow them to drain. Also, high organic content (i.e. compost) makes the soil too moist and doesn't let you the plant's roots breath. The problems they were describing to me sound a lot like parameters that people try to make in wicking beds. So what gives?

[greenfish]

Hi, Im gonna build a wicking bed this weekend using pond liner, treated lumber, 200mm of sand and gravel, and then 300mm of soil. Sand will be underneath the liner and inside on the bottom, beneath the gravel, to protect from damage. I need alittle help on my overflow height. Should it be within the gravel or just inside the bottom of the soil? i was thinking about having the overflow pipe exit near the bottom and then "t" up, so that I can adjust the height by extending the pipe. Thanks